Hospital-Level Care Helps Veteran Heal at Home

After 26 years of military service as a combat medic, flight medic and specialized medic, Andre Valentine has a unique perspective on patient care. When he became a patient of Covenant Health’s Advanced Care at Home (ACH), his standards were high.

“I kind of have the military and civilian background on how it’s supposed to work for the patient,” Valentine says. “I told them, ‘I’m going to watch you like a hawk to make sure this is going to work. And if it isn’t, I’m gonna let you know.’”

Valentine’s high standards were well met – Advanced Care at Home earned his approval.

“I’m doing great,” he says. “If I had to go back, I would be willing to do it again. It was great.”

An Alternative With Hospital-Level Care

Advanced Care at Home allows patients to move out of a hospital and into their own homes for acute care. Valentine experienced the benefits of the program in Spring 2024 after a severe infection sent him to a hospital.

He hadn’t been feeling well, and when he took his temperature it was clear he needed to seek medical care right away. The thermometer read 103.8 degrees, so Valentine and his wife went immediately to Parkwest Medical Center.

“The triage nurse took my blood pressure, and it was 70 over 40 – so it was sepsis,” Valentine says. “I was admitted to the emergency room for that and a kidney infection.”

The hospital was very busy that night, so busy that Valentine would have to wait for a room. When he learned he could receive hospital-level care at home instead, he and his wife agreed it sounded like a good idea.

There’s No Place Like Home

“We like to call it ‘like hospital at home,’” says Tanya Rankin, RN, who works with ACH patients. “We take all of the acute inpatient care you’re receiving in our brick-and-mortar hospital, and we bring it to you in the comfort and safety of your own home.”

The setup included a dedicated Wi-Fi system, ensuring that Valentine had uninterrupted access to medical support. With a few simple instructions, he was ready to virtually connect with medical help any time of day or night. He could also receive in-person assistance from a paramedic as needed.

“They were able to get me home and they set up everything,” Valentine says. “If I needed a nurse, they told me how to push the button on the iPad for the nurse on duty.”

Rankin says Advanced Care at Home can provide services like ultrasounds and X-rays, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Sometimes she encounters people who are genuinely surprised by the level of care that’s available.

“We do our utmost to give everyone excellent care,” Rankin says. “It’s a real joy to bring healthcare to these people in their homes.” 

Valentine received hospital-level care away from the noise and disturbances that are sometimes part of a hospital stay. He had the peace and comfort of being in his own personal space, which gave him a clearer path to recovery.

“Being able to be in my own house, take my own shower . . . patients start to heal better and faster when they’re home and they’re able to see their own surroundings,” he says. “If I had my Tennessee paramedic’s license I would probably be working for them!”

Learn More About Advanced Care at Home

Advanced Care at Home is designed for patients who have specific illnesses or medical conditions that typically require care in a hospital. It’s available at participating Covenant Health hospitals to patients whose conditions qualify.

If you or a loved one are hospitalized, ask about Advanced Care at Home. You can also visit the ACH website for more information and a list of frequently asked questions.